U.S. threatens tough measures to halt terror attacks on Israel

BARRY SCHWEIDAP Diplomatic Writer

Published Sunday, January 27, 2002

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush is holding a threat of diplomatic isolation over the head of Yasser Arafat to force the Palestinian leader to accept responsibility for a weapons smuggling operation and to take other steps to curb terror attacks on Israel.

Bush angrily accused the Palestinian Authority on Friday of "enhancing terror" by trying to smuggle a boatload of weapons from Iran. Despite repeated U.S. demands, Arafat has not acknowledged responsibility.

The president and his senior advisers reviewed potential U.S. sanctions at a White House meeting that prompted outrage from Palestinian officials.

No deadline was set for Arafat to comply, senior U.S. officials said. But he will be watched closely for signs that he intends to dismantle terror groups and arrest Palestinian officials involved in the smuggling episode, the officials said on condition of anonymity.

A senior official told The Associated Press that sanctions could be imposed at any point, depending on how Arafat responds to what Secretary of State Colin Powell called "a clear, stern message" that he must accept responsibility for the smuggling operation. Sanctions could include cutting off contact with the United States and closing the Palestinian office in Washington.

"This kind of activity is constantly undercutting our efforts," Powell said on PBS' "NewsHour." "This is in some ways a moment of truth for Chairman Arafat."

Senior administration officials said even the least hawkish option, recommended by Powell, would require Arafat to take specific anti-terror actions before the United States would renew its suspended mediation role in the Middle East.

Declaring he was "very disappointed" with Arafat, Bush said, "Ordering up weapons that were intercepted on a boat headed for that part of the world is not part of fighting terror. That's enhancing terror."

Israeli commandos seized the Karine A in the Red Sea on Jan. 3 and rushed intelligence experts to Washington to inform the Bush administration. They said the rockets, mortar and explosives could have devastated Ben Gurion Airport outside Tel Aviv and spread terror throughout Israel.

In Ramallah, the West Bank town where Israeli soldiers have Arafat under virtual house arrest, a top adviser said severing ties would "cause an earthquake" in the Middle East.

The adviser, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, said Bush should act instead against Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon "and not receive him in the White House."

Jibril Rajoub, the Palestinians' security chief on the West Bank, said in a telephone interview that cutting ties would be irrational and unrealistic.

He said the Palestinian Authority has no military relationship with Iran, and individuals involved in the smuggling attempt would be put on trial.

"I hope American leadership will not behave under the influence of extremists of the Jewish community in America," Rajoub said.

Sharon is due to meet with the president in Washington on Feb. 7, his fourth visit to the White House since last March. Arafat has never been invited by Bush.

King Abdullah II of Jordan will have a breakfast meeting with Bush next Friday at the White House. In their third meeting, Bush and the king will discuss terrorism and the Middle East, the White House said.

Bush sent letters last week to the king, Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt with what U.S. officials said was proof the Palestinian Authority was involved in the smuggling operation.

On Capitol Hill, Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-N.Y., said a bill to close the Palestinian office in Washington and bar any U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority had "picked up tremendous momentum."

Ackerman said he had 84 co-sponsors.

The legislation would include a waiver clause authorizing Bush to defer any action on national security grounds.